Complete Protein

Quinoa — it comes in colors?

Yes it does and red quinoa has just as much wonderful healthy goodness as regular ol' white quinoa. It's a complete protein like its pale sister, offering you all the essential amino acids that you need to build strong bones, muscles, skin, and blood.

You can substitute rice in any dish with quinoa, which is great since it has more than twice the amount of protein than rice. Plus it's easy to digest and doesn't have a very strong flavor. All of these reasons combine to make it a very likable grain.
Compared with white quinoa, the red variety has a slightly earthier flavor. Once cooked, it has a light brownish color. Try both varieties to see which one you prefer.

What's more, quinoa is easy to cook. Want to know how? Then read more

I've never actually tried these nutrition bars from SOYJOY, but that's okay because they'll send me (and you too) 3 bars to try for free. They want you to try 1, and promise to share the other 2 with your friends. Give them your info and you should receive the bars in about 3-4 weeks.

These bars are made with soy, butter, frozen egg, dried fruits like raisins, papaya, mango, and pineapple, and almonds. There are 4 flavors that sound very tasty - Raisin Almond, Mango Coconut, Apple, and Berry.

Soy protein is a complete protein, so this could be a great afternoon snack to give you a pep in your step. Not only that, soy enhances bone density and can help to reduce your risk of certain cancers.

Has anyone ever tried them? I'd be curious to know what you thought, so tell me below.

Protein is essential for many bodily processes, including building and repairing tissue. You use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Plus, your hair and nails are mostly made up of protein. It is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Protein is made of smaller components called amino acids, 12 of which are manufactured by the human body. Another 9, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from food.

A complete protein or whole protein is a protein that contains all of the essential amino acids.

All animal proteins are complete, including red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Vegetarians will be happy to know that complete proteins can also be obtained through certain plants, such as soy, spirulina, hemp seed, amaranth, buckwheat, and my fave quinoa.

Foods can be combined to make complete proteins like pairing beans with rice or corn. There are other combinations as well. Beans and seeds, beans and nuts, and beans and grains will form a complete protein. When you eat hummus and pita bread, nut butter on whole grain bread, pasta with beans, veggie burgers on bread, split pea soup with whole grain bread, and tortillas with refried beans, you are eating complete proteins.

Fit's Tips: Recent studies show that the beans and the grains don't even need to be eaten at the same meal, so if you eat beans for lunch and rice with dinner, you've got yourself a complete protein. You may spread your food combination over a 2-day period.